# Fuel Tanker Fires: Safety expert warns against scooping spilt petrol

> Safety expert warns against scooping spilt petrol after tanker fires.
- Title: Fuel Tanker Fires: Safety expert warns against scooping spilt…
- Summary: Safety expert warns against scooping spilt petrol after tanker fires. Safety expert Timothy Iwuagwu warns Nigerians against scooping spilt fuel at accident…
- Keywords: timothy iwuagwu, fuel tanker accidents, nigeria, scooping spilt petrol, explosions, safety expert, aleto pipeline explosion, edostate tanker fire, news, politics, Fuel, Tanker
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/917841-fuel-tanker-fires-safety-expert-warns-against-scooping-spilt-petrol.html
- Author: Fareedah Bakare
- Published: 2026-10-17T16:36:37+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: timothy iwuagwu, fuel tanker accidents, nigeria, scooping spilt petrol, explosions, safety expert, aleto pipeline explosion, edostate tanker fire, news, politics
## Safety warning
Safety expert Timothy Iwuagwu warns Nigerians against scooping spilt fuel at accident scenes to prevent explosions.

> Keep away, keep away
## Recent tanker fires
A petrol tanker caught fire in Oluku, Benin City, Edo State, as residents scooped spilt fuel.
## Explosion risk
Fuel vapour could ignite when it comes into contact with an ignition source, even from a considerable distance.
## Death toll
The Federal Road Safety Corps reported 411 people died in 2024 while scooping fuel from crash sites.
## Tanker design flaws
Tankers should have internal baffles to reduce liquid movement inside the tank, particularly when traveling on uneven roads.
## Inadequate inspections
Safety professionals rarely involved in inspections, with many tankers imported without adequate scrutiny of safety features.
## Rail transport alternative
Transporting petroleum products by rail would reduce risks of transporting highly flammable materials on roads.
## Aleto pipeline explosion
Residents of Aleto called for replacement of the gas pipeline involved in Thursday's explosion rather than repairs limited to the ruptured section.
## Pipeline leak concerns
The pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion, with no substantial action taken by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
## Explosion impact
At least 20 people were injured and more than 50 houses destroyed in the Aleto pipeline explosion.
## Safety engineer's warning
Most pipelines were laid 30-40 years ago, requiring urgent inspection and maintenance to prevent leaks and explosions.
## NNPC response
NNPC confirmed the incident, isolated the affected section, and activated emergency response procedures.
## Edu State fire
In Edo State, eight people sustained burn injuries, with reports of four people feared dead from the Oluku tanker fire.
## Root causes
Poor tanker design, inadequate inspections, and weak enforcement of vehicle safety standards contribute to deadly fuel tanker accidents.
## Call for action
Safety professionals urge immediate action to prevent further tanker accidents and pipeline explosions.
## Key takeaway

Safety expert Timothy Iwuagwu warns Nigerians against scooping spilt fuel at accident scenes to prevent explosions.